Over the past few years, Will Linley has dominated the local pop space with his catchy music, powerful vocal and quirky pesonality. The star has released hits like ‘miss me (when you’re gone)’, ‘Just Because I Called You’, ‘Last Call’, ‘Wrong Time’ and ‘Cinematic’ – the latter serving as the official lead single off his just-announced upcoming debut album ‘Don’t Cry Because It’s Over’.
To celebrate the announcement of this incredible milestone in his musical career, Linley has dropped a brand-new single titled ‘First Love’.
The song features softly-strummed acoustic guitar and dreamy keys accent a solid backbeat. Throughout the verses, he recalls all of the “firsts” that just didn’t work out—yet still taught him an invaluable lesson or two. “Oh, keys are on the counter, wish I could’ve found her a couple of years later instead, I’m sorry that you had to be my first love.”
“I wrote ‘First Love’ at the end of my first breakup. The song captures the questions in your head after a relationship,” Will tells us. “I had to come to terms with the fact that my first girlfriend had to put up with me learning how to love. I’ve come to realise the first time you do anything, you don’t get it right. Sadly, that includes love.”
The track serves as a great prelude to ‘Don’t Cry Because It’s Over’ because the album captures the whole arc of first love – from its hopeful beginnings to its quiet endings. Blending introspective storytelling with polished pop production, the album moves through themes of connection, heartbreak, nostalgia, and growth. Influenced by the emotional realism of classic romantic comedies, the project offers a globally minded take on modern relationships. Across 12 tracks, Linley combines heartfelt lyricism with vibrant melodies, creating a debut that’s both personal and universally relatable.
Will notably wrote and recorded the album during sessions in Los Angeles. He teamed up with trusted collaborators and executive producers David Balshaw and Bubele Booi (The Imports) to bring this body of work to life. For as much as they drew inspiration from favourites such as Coldplay, One Direction, and 5 Seconds of Summer, they also leaned on classic rom-coms, including Notting Hill, About Time, No Strings Attached, Friends with Benefits, and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. By doing so, Will tells a story that’s big screen-ready, teeming with drama, joy, heartbreak, and all the feels.
Watch the music video for ‘First Love’ below and read more music news here.
